Alpin Magazine Ski Reviews 2013 — under 93 mm

Editor’s Note: Well, since you WildSnowers are harassing me about skiing wider stuff, I thought it best to publish a review of skinny skis. Just kidding. These tooth picks have their place, but all you guys are exactly right in that wider planks are truly coming into their own as backcountry skiing tools.

Nonetheless, narrower “sub 90” touring skis remain popular for many reasons. Mainly, they’re lighter and have better skin glide due to less surface area. While narrower planks don’t have that easy floaty feeling you get from skis around 100 mm or wider when you’re on the soft stuff, any competent skier can turn the lesser width skis. They’re quick and fun. Every quiver should have a pair. Thanks Alpin Magazine for permission to web-publish their excellent reviews, and props to David Gerard for the translation. Enjoy.

Alpin’s Introduction: Touring-skis: classic or modern?

So many skis are becoming available it will soon be impossible (if not already) to have a good overview of the variety of touring-skis on offer. ALPIN tested 24 pairs in the snow around Warth-Schroecken, Austria. From the proven conservative to the space-age modern, conclusion: there is something for everyone, whatever your style.

The fact that ski-touring is experiencing a boom is obvious to everyone who’s been backcountry skiing for more than a few years. As always in the popular development of a sport, there is a upward spiral of demand influencing the products and the product influencing the demand. This is particularly noticeable with skis — everything is getting fatter, more vibrant, and cooler.

Just a few years ago, touring-skis 85mm wide were seen as fat skis suitable just for specialists. Now even your average ski-tourer has recognised that wider skis can offer advantages for normal touring.

On top of increasing width, skis have experienced another development the last couple of years: a new curve. Many modern skis have rising tip which begins earlier than one was used to many years ago. This rise is called a ”rocker” and it causes the ski to float and turn more easily in deep snow, without the skier having to be travelling so quickly. This technology has been widely adopted, but to differing degrees: extreme powder-skis have a rise which begins just after the toe of the bindings, an extreme that isn’t much sense for ski-touring, but increasingly more manufacturers are adding a gentle rocker to the front of their touring-skis.

We’ve divided the range of touring-skis into two categories, depending on the width. Skis up to 82mm width under the binding are classed as ‘classic’ touring skis and skis over 82mm as ‘modern’ touring-skis. Last year the divide was set at 80mm, but we are sensitive to the latest developments. New this year is that we are classifying the skis strictly according to the width. Touring-skis for us are those up to 95mm wide, anything wider you will find in our “Free tourer” category, with translated review published by WildSnow here.

Within the categories the skis are arranged by weight, with the lighter skis first. The developing trend has meant that a particular model of ski long seen as typical of the modern type of touring-skis is now found amongst the “classic” skis: the K2 Backup. In its new category it came to the top straight away. With its speed rocker the Backup is a ski which every tourer would be happy with, regardless of ability, and it’s also not bad for a spin on the piste, even if it can’t keep up with the Stoeckli in pure piste performance.

As usual the stable (and not exactly light) Stoecklis have excellent downhill performance on piste for a touring-ski. With sufficient power and technique the Stoecklis are also good fun in off-piste terrain, but neither of these skis are lightweight. Truly lightweight skis may struggle in downhill performance by their very nature. It’s a case of being clear in what you want: whoever desires to clock vast amounts of ascent or prefers longer tours will take weight more into account — with the knowledge that some compromise will be made in performance on the descent. Of the lighter, skis the Voelkl Mauja impressed the most: a ski which performed very well for its weight.

In the category of skis over 82mm there was a head to head race to be the test winner. Last year’s winner, the Kaestle TX87, was still very strong, but since it came mounted with a Freeride binding this year (we requested skis with touring bindings) we had to deduct 0,2 from the score for reasons of insufficient comparability. (Editor note: This is still a ski worth considering and we’re disapointed that a binding choice interfered with the review. But Alpin can’t be expected to run a ski shop and swap dozens of bindings around.)

The third placed ski, the K2 Wayback, which has convinced in years of testing, also had to make way for the new-comer. The ladies were especially impressed with the BD Crescent. The comparable men’s ski, the Aspect, was good but not a front-runner. Of the lighter wide skis the female testers gave the best marks to the La Sportiva GTS. La Sportiva is a new-comer in the world of ski manufacturing, but still scored well. Whoever looks closely can see which experienced ski-manufacturer is behind their range, and just as with Movement skis, the Sportiva skis are also manufactured in Tunisia. The GTS, with a width of 88mm, convinced with well balanced characteristics in off-piste terrain. That such a light and wide ski will quickly reach its limits on the piste, is also obvious, piste skis are narrower and heavier for a definite reason! The men’s version of the GTS, the GT was good, but not as convincing.

Overall, the exciting developments continue. Amongst the skis over 82mm wide the winner was a brand new entry: the Dynastar Cham 87. Other top scoring skis are hot on Dynastar’s heels: Kaestle TX 87 and K2 Wayback. Our female testers were most pleased with the Black Diamond Crescent. Under the 82mm the test winner was an old favourite: the K2 Backup, with the Stoeckli Stormrider Pit Pro a close second. The ski which relative to its weight had the best performance was the Voelkl Mauja.

Elan – Alaska Pro
13,3
(+) very light
(-) compromised in downhill performance
The Alaska Pro from Elan has one overriding quality: it’s light! That you have to make compromises with downhill performance should be obvious for anyone who buys such a ski
Adequate
Difficult to find etailers, suggestions welcome.

Ski Trab – Free Rando Light
13,6
(+) very light
(+) very well finished
(-) downhill performance
The Free Rando Light from Ski Trab is a well finished, high quality ski. Such a ski is designed for long or fast ascents. Descents are not its strength.
Adequate
Shop for Ski Trab here.

Völkl – Mauja
(ALPIN weight vs performance standout)
13,8
(+) for a light ski, good downhill performance
(+) light
The Mauja from Völkl is no longer the lightest of skis, but its still isn’t heavy. The downhill performance Völkl has added for the extra weight is easily felt. Again, one of our best skis for performance/weight ratio.
Good
Better availability in Europe, some in North America, google them.

Dynastar – Alti 79
14,2
(+) light
(-) unstable
The Alti 79 is a model from the old range from Dynastar. It’s a ski for race freaks for whom the descent is a second priority.
Satisfactory
Again, more available in Europe and probably of little interest to Wildsnowers.

Scott – Fly Air
14,2
(+) light
(+) good downhill performance
(-) average stability
For this season Scott has added a ski at the lighter end of the spectrum. This required courage which in this case has been rewarded. The Fly Air is a light and well rounded addition to the Scott tour-ski collection.
Good
Another plank with limited availability, worth shopping for as it has a good performance/weight ratio.

Blizzard – Free Cross
14,6
(+) responsive
(-) nervous
The Free Cross is a familiar face. The ski has been around for years, virtually unchanged and time has taken its toll. It’s not in the same class as the Mauja or Fly Air.
Satisfactory
Suggestions for etailers?

Fischer – X-Superlight
14,6
(+) responsive
(-) average stability
Fischer returns to touring with three ski models. All three models are similar, relatively light and somewhat wider. The X-Superlight is the lightest of the three and is suited most of all for the traditional ski-tourer.
Satisfactory
We’re beginning to sound like a skipping CD, but these are hard to find in etailer land.

Fischer – X-Pression
15,5
(+) agile
(-) poor edge grip
The X-Pression is the narrowest of the three touring models and is noticeably agile. This ski would appeal to the traditional ski tourer as well.
Satisfactory

Fischer – X-Ceed
16,4
(+) agile
(+) well balanced
(-) edge grip nothing special
The third ski in the Fischer line-up is the X-Ceed, the same width as the X-Superlight, but somewhat more stable. The X-Ceed proved to be well balanced and is a good allround touring ski.
Good
Whew, at least check them out on Fischer’s website.

K2 – Backup (Alpin test winner in ‘classic’ width category.)
17,2
(+) good edge grip
(+) stable
(+) well balanced
In our new categories the K2 Backup at 82mm under the binding is back amongst the classic touring skis – and convinces. A touch heavier, but more stable and with more bite. (Ed. Note: Strangly, this ski will only be officially available in Europe. We highly recommend, can probably be purchased online from EU etailers.)
Very Good
Surprisingly, this ski is indeed available from Evo. Get ’em while they’re hot and on sale.

La Sportiva – Sportiva GTS
15,4
(+) light
(+) good downhill performance
(-) poor edge grip
With the GTS La Sportiva has managed to create a light and wide women’s ski which isn’t as nervous as other skis of similar proportions. A very interesting, modern touring ski.
Good
Currently in our test quiver at WildSnow, receiving good ratings from Lisa. Shop for GTS here.

Hagan – Chimera 1.0
15,7
(+) light
(-) poor downhill
The Chimera 1.0 is light and wide. On snow other than powder or firn life gets difficult.
Satisfactory
Shop for Hagan Chimera

Atomic – Aspect
15,7
(+) very good in powder
(-) somewhat sluggish
With its pronounced rocker the Aspect is very balanced ski and is well balanced for its weight. Even on firm snow it skis well, but is somewhat sluggish on short, tight turns.
Good
Evo comes through again for a shopping link.

La Sportiva – Sportiva GT
16,5
(+) very good in powder
(-) less balanced than the GTS
The GT is the men’s version of the GTS and is somewhat wider. It didn’t inspire the men to the extent that the GTS did the women, but nevertheless an interesting lightweight and wide ski.
Good
GT is available here.

Black Diamond – Aspect
16,7
(+) responsive
(+) well balanced
(-) less edge grip
The BD Aspect was our lightweight vs performance winner two years ago. At that time it was one of the few wide and light skis. Things change, but nevertheless the Aspect is still an interesting, modern ski for the average ski tourer.
Good
Shop for Black Diamond Aspect

Stöckli – Stormrider Pit Pro
18,8
(+) very good edge grip
(+) stable
(+) lively
The Stormrider Pit Pro convinced the more sporty skier. It proved to be enormous fun on the piste and strong in terrain. For deep powder there are better skis.
Very Good
Best way to shop for this ski is to trust google.

Black Diamond – Crescent
(ALPIN suggested as one of their best women’s ski of the bunch.)
17,6
(+) relatively light
(+) well balanced
(-) not especially good edge grip.
The second ladies ski – and what a ski, the testers were most impressed! A ski for any conditions you’re likely to encounter when touring, just slightly weak in firmer snow conditions.
Very good
Available online at Backcountry.com.

Kessler – Phoenix
17,6
(+) relatively light
(+) well balanced
(-) edge grip nothing special
Kessler is a small Swiss company with only a few models in their collection. The Phoenix has a variable radius and proved to be very maneuverable. The testers found it a playful ski (agile and maneuverable).
Good
Kessler website.

K2 – Wayback
(Still one of the Alpin test’s best skis, gets their kudos for being a terrific all-arounder.)
18,0
(+) very good allrounder
(+) well balanced
What more can you say about the Wayback? The ski is already a classic, has topped several tests and still convinces. A ski which can ski anything, you can’t go wrong with this one.
Very good
Always a good bet for a quiver addition, shop for Wayback here.

***************************************
Touring Skis Category listed below – over 82mm at waist

Dynastar – Cham High Mountain 87 (Alpin overall test winner (!) for narrower skis over 82 mm.)
18,1
(+) great fun to ski
(+) well balanced
Dynastar dabbled in the touring ski scene for years but now this! The Cham High Mountain 87 is a modern touring ski, which completely convinces: distinct rocker, inverted (set toward the back of ski) waist. A guaranteed fun ski!
Very good
Shop for Cham 87.

Kastle – TX87 (Alpine kudos for the best all-arounder in the over 82 mm category)
18,3
(+) well balanced
(+) responsive
The Testwinner from last year. This year too it’s right at the front of the pack. The Kastle TX87 is completely convincing and only loses out to the Dynastar by a small margin.
Very good
For some reason this top rated ski is always hard to find at etailers. Suggestions welcome.

Stöckli – Stormrider Pit Pro
18,8
(+) very good edge grip
(+) stable
(+) lively
The Stormrider Pit Pro convinced the more sporty skier. It proved to be enormous fun on the piste and strong in terrain. For deep powder there are better skis.
Very Good
Hard to find.

Mountain Wave – Push
19,3
(+) Good in level terrain
(+) stable
(-) pretty heavy
The Push from Mountain Wave show most of its potential in flatter terrain and modest speeds. Here the testers were fully convinced. Otherwise this is a good, well balanced and stable ski.
Good
Shopping link suggestions welcome.

Hagan – Daemon
19,7
(+) very responsive
(-) poor edge grip
The Daemon from Hagan is no demon. This is an especially good natured ski which will appeal to those new to wide skis. It’s easy to ski without much effort and can cope with pretty much anything off the piste.
Good
Available from North American importer, a bit pricey for this time of year.

Stockli – Stormrider XL
23,5
(+) good edge grip
(+) stable
(-) for good skiers only
The Stockli VXL is a proper Stockli: on piste a real weapon, like all Stocklis, off-piste it needs to be skied properly. If you have the thighs and the right technique, it’s a fun ski.
Good
Stormrider XL may be available here.